Closeable beverage lid

Abstract

An improved closeable lid for a beverage container is described. The lid uses a base, a flanged gasket, a valve and a knob to allow a user to control the flow of liquid from the beverage container. The flanged gasket surrounds the base with radially extending flanges that conforms to the interior of the beverage container, creating a seal. The valve moves vertically to engage and disengage the seal created by mating the valve face to the valve seat. The vertical movement of the valve is modulated by the rotation of a knob that is connected to the valve that provides a threaded shaft. The user can consume liquid from the beverage container as a result one or more fluid apertures through the base allowing for the passage of fluids from the beverage container past the valve and through base to the user. When the knob is rotated to the closed position, the valve creates a seal preventing the flow of liquid through the fluid apertures of the base.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 925,225 filed Jan. 9, 2014, the entire teaching of which is herein incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present disclosure relates generally to beverage containers. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to removable lids which may be opened and shut by the user and may be applied to beverage containers, such as wine glasses.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Beverage containers and corresponding lids are well known. Beverage container lids are used to deter or prevent liquid from leaving the beverage container unintentionally. Sippy cup lids are widely used to train babies and toddlers to drink from beverage containers while avoiding spillage. Likewise, Sippy cup lids are widely used by the elderly and the infirm not as much for training purposes, but to allow the user, who may have difficulty using a standard bevera...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]One aspect of the present teachings is to provide a removable lid adaptable to the rim of a beverage container having a concave opening, such as an egg shaped wine glass. Another aspect of the present apparatus in accordance with the present teachings is to provide an aperture in a removable beverage container lid through which a user may consume the beverage while simultaneously permitting oxidation to occur. Yet another feature of the presently described apparatus is to allow a user to adjust the opening of the aperture through which liquid and air flows, including closing the aperture entirely.

[0011]In one embodiment, the valve is a disk-shaped surface parallel to the base. In one embodiment, the shaft of the knob and the aperture through which the shaft passes are threaded to translate the rotational activity of the knob into linear movement of the valve. In one embodiment, when the knob is rotated by the user, the disk-shaped surface of the valve moves linearly to interface with the gasket, creating a substantially fluid tight seal.

[0015]In one embodiment, the fluid aperture is formed as an arc having a focus at the center of the upper surface of the base. One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide at least one arced aperture circumscribing a substantial portion of the perimeter of the base, so liquid and air may flow freely and a user is not limited to consuming the beverage from only one area of the lid. Another aspect of the arced fluid aperture lying in the recessed base is to eliminate the need for a dedicated spout. In one embodiment, the arced fluid aperture permits for the enhanced flow of air either when at rest or when a user is drinking from the lid. One aspect to of the fluid aperture is to allow for oxidation of the beverage in the container. Another aspect of the arced fluid aperture is to remedy liquid turbulence or glugging during the user's beverage consumption.

Problems solved by technology

One disadvantage of the traditional wine glass, however, is that the relatively large opening defined by the rim does not prevent spillage and is not adapted to user mobility.

Another disadvantage of the traditional wine glass is that the raised stem creates a high center of gravity, and is easily toppled.

The concern for spillage is significant with wine because many wines can permanently stain or discolor surfaces on which the wine is spilled.

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